The pathobiology of blast injuries and blast-induced neurotrauma as identified using a new experimental model of injury in mice

Ibolja Cernak; Andrew C. Merkle; Vassilis E. Koliatsos; Justin M. Bilik; Quang T. Luong; Theresa M. Mahota; Leyan Xu; Nicole Slack; David Windle; Farid A. Ahmed

Neurobiology of Disease (Feb 2011)

The pathobiology of blast injuries and blast-induced neurotrauma as identified using a new experimental model of injury in mice

Ibolja Cernak,
Andrew C. Merkle,
Vassilis E. Koliatsos,
Justin M. Bilik,
Quang T. Luong,
Theresa M. Mahota,
Leyan Xu,
Nicole Slack,
David Windle,
Farid A. Ahmed

Affiliations

Ibolja Cernak: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA; Corresponding author. Biomedicine Business Area, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd., Mail Stop MP2 N108, Laurel, MD 20723, USA. Fax: +1 443 778 5889.
Andrew C. Merkle: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
Vassilis E. Koliatsos: Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHU SOM), Baltimore, MD, USA
Justin M. Bilik: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
Quang T. Luong: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
Theresa M. Mahota: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
Leyan Xu: Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHU SOM), Baltimore, MD, USA
Nicole Slack: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
David Windle: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA
Farid A. Ahmed: Biomedicine Business Area, National Security Technology Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, MD, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 41, no. 2
pp. 538 – 551

Abstract

Read online

Current experimental models of blast injuries used to study blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) vary widely, which makes the comparison of the experimental results extremely challenging. Most of the blast injury models replicate the ideal Friedländer type of blast wave, without the capability to generate blast signatures with multiple shock fronts and refraction waves as seen in real-life conditions; this significantly reduces their clinical and military relevance. Here, we describe the pathophysiological consequences of graded blast injuries and BINT generated by a newly developed, highly controlled, and reproducible model using a modular, multi-chamber shock tube capable of tailoring pressure wave signatures and reproducing complex shock wave signatures seen in theater. While functional deficits due to blast exposure represent the principal health problem for today's warfighters, the majority of available blast models induces tissue destruction rather than mimic functional deficits. Thus, the main goal of our model is to reliably reproduce long-term neurological impairments caused by blast. Physiological parameters, functional (motor, cognitive, and behavioral) outcomes, and underlying molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation measured in the brain over the 30 day post-blast period showed this model is capable of reproducing major neurological changes of clinical BINT.

Published in Neurobiology of Disease

ISSN: 0969-9961 (Print); 1095-953X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurobiology-of-disease

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords